Lobi Stars Football Club (Makurdi) sealed quarterfinal berth today in the ongoing 2022 AIETO/Federation Cup after defeating a youthful and enterprising Akure City FC (Akure) 1-0 in one of the round of 16 fixtures at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus Stadium.
Both sides who qualified to this stage of the competition after their victories over Doma United FC and Bendel Insurance feeders respectively, tried to get control and dictate the pace of the game during the opening quarter of an hour.
The boys from Makurdi struck first in the 29th minute from an Olamilekan Adam’s low finish at the edge of the box that kept the Akure City goalkeeper rooted to a spot when he received a long pass from skipper, Solomon Kwambe to give his side the slim advantage before the interval.
The introduction of fresh legs by the technical crew of both sides produced some anxious and tensed moments in the second stanza as the best opportunity fell on Akure City attacker, Kunle Ajayi who could not keep his composure in front of goal for an equaliser in the dine moment of the encounter.
Speaking to newsmen in his post match analysis, former international and assistant coach of Lobi Stars FC, Elvis Kingsley hinted that playing an amateur side is not easy but he is satisfied with the outcome of the game, adding that the stress of traveling to different venues is taking a toll on the team.
Responding on his team’s performance, Technical Adviser, Akure City FC, Banjo Adepoju praised his players for their doggedness and resilience because they were aiming for the final of this year’s competition, noting that despite the slim loss they played against an experienced NPFL side.
However, Lobi Stars FC will on Wednesday, 10th August, 2022, trade tackle with another NPFL team, Niger Tornadoes (Minna) in one of the quarter final fixtures of the competition.
In a related development, it was a five-goal thriller as Adoration Football Club (Enugu) defeated visiting Ibom Youth FC (Uyo) 3-2 in the continuation of the 2022 Nigeria National League (NNL) played at the UNEC stadium earlier.
According to Technical Adviser of Adoration FC, Enyce Enie despite not gaining promotion to the elite division, he noted that his side’s performance was not impressive but promised that they will finish on a high.
